Written by Nathaniel Brooks.
President Donald Trump declared on March 17, 2025, that Hunter and Ashley Biden, adult children of former President Joe Biden, will no longer receive U.S. Secret Service protection, a decision that stirred immediate reaction. In a pointed Truth Social post, Trump called out the extensive security details—up to 18 agents for Hunter and 13 for Ashley—as excessive. Effective immediately, he terminated their coverage, marking a shift in how federal resources are allocated for former first families. The Secret Service confirmed it is adjusting operations to comply swiftly with the directive.
A closer look at the protection rollback
Federal law mandates lifetime Secret Service protection for former presidents and their spouses, but for their children over 16, that coverage typically ends when the administration does. Both Trump and Biden, however, extended protection for their own kids—six months post-tenure—before leaving office. Biden, for instance, ensured Barron Trump kept his detail past his 16th birthday. Now, Trump’s move reverses that precedent for the Bidens, spotlighting a disparity. The Secret Service, tasked with juggling these high-profile assignments, acknowledged the change and is coordinating with the White House to wrap up the details.
For context, Hunter Biden’s security has long been a lightning rod—think of the single parent in Virginia, already stretched thin, wondering why tax dollars guard a figure often in the tabloids. Ashley’s detail, while less publicized, still pulled significant manpower. Trump’s decision frees up agents—dozens, by his count—for other priorities, a practical reallocation at a time when the agency’s budget hovers around $3 billion annually, stretched across counterterrorism and VIP duties.
Foreign policy tangents and domestic polling
In the same announcement, Trump veered into foreign affairs, noting Joe Biden’s vacation in South Africa amid U.S. tensions with the nation. He criticized South Africa’s land expropriation policies—allowing government seizures without compensation—and its ties to Hamas and Iran, claiming racial bias against White landowners. Consequently, Trump removed South Africa from America’s economic aid list, a move echoed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s expulsion of ambassador Ebrahim Rasool. Rasool had recently accused Trump of fueling white supremacy, tying the MAGA movement to demographic shifts shrinking the white voting bloc to a projected 48%.
Back home, Trump’s third month into his second term shows mixed signals. An NBC News poll from Sunday pegs his approval at 47%—a personal best—while 51% disapprove. More Americans, 40%, see his policies curbing inflation positively, against 30% who disagree; 28% notice no shift. On trade, 41% back his tariff tweaks, edging out 38% opposed. Yet the economy remains a sore spot—54% disapprove of his handling, a first in NBC’s tracking. For a factory worker in Ohio, those tariffs might mean job security, but rising grocery bills still sting.
The South Africa jab adds layers. Rubio’s “race-baiting” retort to Rasool reflects a White House doubling down on its base, even as Trump’s polling hints at broader appeal. Since 2004, no president has seen more voters—per NBC—feel the country’s on track. That’s a quiet win, though the 51% disapproval underscores a ceiling he’s yet to crack.
Our take
Trump’s decision to cut Secret Service protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden lands as a pragmatic flex—why pour resources into adults no longer tied to the Oval Office? It’s a move that resonates with taxpayers tired of footing bills for high-profile legacies, and it aligns with a leaner approach to federal spending. The contrast with Barron’s extended coverage stings for Biden loyalists, but legality holds: past 16, it’s discretionary, and Trump’s within his purview. The Secret Service, already juggling threats from cybercrime to dignitary visits, gains breathing room here.
Still, the South Africa detour muddies the waters. Linking Biden’s trip to land seizures and terrorism feels like a stretch—diplomacy’s messy, but this reads more like a jab than a strategy. Rubio’s ambassador boot fits the pattern: Trump’s team plays hardball to signal strength. On the home front, that 47% approval suggests he’s got momentum, yet the economic discontent—54%—looms large. He’s threading a needle, balancing trade wins with inflation gripes. If he keeps the “right kind of change” vibe alive, as 40% of voters see it, he might climb higher. If not, that 51% disapproval could harden into a wall.
